This Friday, June 21, dogs across the United States and abroad will accompany their owners to work as businesses celebrate the 15th annual Take Your Dog To Work Day® (TYDTWDay®). The online campaign, created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) in 1999, has reached tens of thousands with its unique message of celebrating dogs at work to promote pet adoptions during the last decade and a half. Pet ownership is on the rise and the American Heart Association recently announced that owning pets can even reduce the risk of heart disease.
Since TYDTWDay's inception, companies have increasingly embraced the event, allowing employees to bring their dogs to work this Friday to support a good cause. PSI President Patti Moran estimates that less than 300 companies participated in the first event. Since that time, word about the event spread quickly and the popularity of the event has grown by leaps and bounds.

Moran attributes the event's success to the increasing role pets have come to play in our lives."There's no question pets enhance our lives," said Moran. "Experts tout the benefits of pet ownership, from reduced stress to increased physical activity. TYDTWDay provides pet lovers with a unique way to celebrate their dogs and give back to the pet community by promoting adoptions."

Long-time TYDTWDay participant Village Green will be hosting its fourteenth TYDTWDay event this year. The Detroit-based property management company selects a new theme for their celebration each year, asks employees to make a small monetary donation to bring their dogs to work on the day and involves the community by hosting an online auction to benefit a local pet-rescue organization. Since 2000, Village Green has raised more than $40,000 to help local pets in need through their TYDTWDay celebration.

"My dogs bring me so much joy at home and work," explained Christine Eluskie, TYDTWDay event organizer at Village Green. "I value that my company recognizes the role pets play in its employees' lives and uses this fun celebration as a way to give back to our community."

PSI and its 2013 campaign partners encourage businesses, shelters and pet lovers interested in celebrating TYDTWDay to download the free 2013 Action Pack available on the official event Web site, www.takeyourdog.com. The Action Pack includes step-by-step instructions for planning the event, customizable TYDTWDay materials and a sample dog-friendly work policy.

To learn more about TYDTWDay, download event materials or search for adoptable pets, visit www.takeyourdog.com  To learn more about event creator PSI, visit petsit.com.

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